Bramhall & Berry get their due

While those with agendas continue to fire scuds from great distances at Wayne Graham, Graham continues to develop pitchers like he’s cornered the market on doing so.

Junior lefthander Bobby Bramhall was named second-team All-American by Rivals college baseball editor Kendall Rogers (we knew the guy was brilliant, despite attending this university) Wednesday, a deserved honor but a surprise nonetheless. Bramhall (5-2, 1.94 ERA, .165 BAA, 1.06 WHIP, 11.6 Ks/9IP) has been stellar for most of the season, yet was overlooked by the nincompoops who vote for C-USA postseason honors. Does anyone think they missed one there?

“On a team like this you know you’re appreciated because of the role. You know middle relief is important,” Bramhall said. “But just like in the big leagues, (middle relievers) rarely get a lot or recognition. So I’m just real excited. I can’t believe it.

“It’s a middle ground, so whenever somebody does compliment you, you go, ‘Oh my gosh! Thank you so much!’ It’s such a great surprise to hear something like that.”

Freshman righthander Ryan Berry was named Freshman Pitcher of the Year by Collegiate Baseball. Not only has The Chemist (that you KR for such an apropos nickname) handled the duties of Friday night starter with aplomb, Berry (11-2, 2.72 ERA, .241 BAA, 1.16 WHIP, 9.0 Ks/9IP) has become some sort of Hanszen demigod, complete with his very own “Ry-an, Ber-ry” chants.

“That’s amazing. I’m extremely surprised,” Berry said. “I know I performed well throughout the year, and the honor of being named that player is unbelievable.

“Our pitching staff is one of the best, if not the best, in the nation, and if you don’t go out and perform, then you’re not going to play. So I put the pressure on myself to throw strikes, get people out, and put our team in a position to win.”

It’s amazing to see that Bramhall and Berry have had any success under “The Arm Wrecker” Graham. After all, the guy has only produced, what, seven first-round draft picks who are pitchers. Since national pundits aren’t showing Graham some love, we figured we’d let him shower some on his recent honorees.

“(Bramhall) has been the glue that held the pitching staff together because he was a multi-use pitcher,” Graham said. “He could close, he could pitch long relief – the whole bit. He’s very competitive, very effective; look what teams have hit on him.

“As far as Berry, he’s one of those rare individuals that has arm control and moxie. He’s a real good blend of ingredients that make a good pitcher.”

Speaking of Thursday, you can find mock drafts here and here. Joe Savery (who is a Rivals first-team All-American) and Cole St. Clair are conspicuously absent on one, and on the other, Savery was mentioned but the author takes a shot at Graham. As Graham would say, both will be rich very soon, just like the other pitchers he and his staff have developed.